Pittonkatonk Day in Pittsburgh

May 4, 2016

We are excited to announce that May 7, 2016 will be Pittonkatonk Day (again) in the city of Pittsburgh. We would like to thank Pittsburgh City Council Corey O’Connor and Daniel Lavelle for their continual support of Pittonkatonk. The proclamation reads as follows…

WHEREAS, throughout its history, Pittsburgh has hosted a vibrant, diverse, and innovative music scene that provides the City with great shows and great venues, attracts more and more people to the City, and enhances its reputation as a lively place to make your home; and,

WHEREAS,Pittonkatonk, founded by “Pandemic” Pete Spynda and Rich Randall, an educational outreach program and festival of brass and street music, offers listeners of all ages and all backgrounds the opportunity to be a part of Pittsburgh’s proud musical and cultural traditions, highlighting the importance of the arts and music in our community; and,

WHEREAS, for the third year in a row, the May Day Brass BBQ, with the help of Stephanie Brea and Stephan Koledin, brings high-energy brass bands from far and wide, from New York and Chicago, to Pittsburgh’s Polish Hill, drawing community collaborators from across the City to Schenley Park for an entire day of music, food, drink, sharing, and family fun; and,

WHEREAS, Pittonkatonk has established the Young Musicians Collaborative, an educational program partnering with May Day Marching Band, and Abby Gross and the Hill District’s Pittsburgh Milliones, University Preparatory Marching Band offering a four-month program teaching the young performers about the contributions and positive role musicians play their communities; and,

WHEREAS, Pittonkatonk’s May Day Brass BBQ will take place Saturday, May 7, 2016, going all-day at the Vietnam Veteran’s Pavilion in Schenley Park. There will be no admission charge but monetary and/or pot-luck style food donations are definitely encouraged.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby recognize Pittonkatonk’s contribution to Pittsburgh’s vibrant arts scene and commends its commitment to artistic, social, and musical education; and,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby declare Saturday, May 7, 2016, to be “PITTONKATONK DAY ” in the City of Pittsburgh.

Passed in Council on Tuesday, May 3rd, 2016.

Bruce A. Kraus

President of Council

Attest: Mary Beth Doheny

City Clerk

SPONSORED BY COUNCILMAN COREY O’CONNOR

CO-SPONSORED BY COUNCIL PRESIDENT BRUCE A. KRAUS

AND MEMBERS OF COUNCIL RICKY V. BURGESS, DANIEL GILMAN,

DEBORAH L.GROSS, DARLENE HARRIS, R. DANIEL LAVELLE,

NATALIA RUDIAK AND THERESA KAIL-SMITH

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About Us

Now in its third year, Pittonkatonk is a free, outdoor, family friendly community celebration of brass music that features both local and touring musicians. Held at the Schenley Park Vietnam Veterans Pavilion, Pittonkatonk blurs the lines between music festival and family reunion. There’s no formal stage, no mandatory ticket prices, and no vending. Instead, bands play in the crowd with little to no amplification. The community creates a potluck table of food donations for refreshment, and folks of all ages can be seen dancing together.